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Illustrations of the basic principles of
the camera and some details of specific parts
were filed with the U.S. Patent Office.
However the camera itself was always kept
concealed from prying eyes-in case someone
should try to copy it, that would mean another
court battle for Edison.
Edison's films were designed for viewing on
his "Peep Show" Kinetoscope
and Kinetophone Machines - but that's
another story. Now let's come a little closer to
home.
The Lumiere Cinematographe
The first Motion Pictures produced in
Australia were made by a French
Cameraman named Marius Sestier using a
Lumiere Cinematographe Camera. His films
included the famous 1896 Melbourne Cup
coverage that still survives in our Archives
today.
The Lumiere Cinematographe was the Above: The Edison Kenetoscope opened for
ideal Motion Picture apparatus for our pioneer inspection. The film was viewed through the
Filmmakers because it was a Camera, a Printer aperture at the top.
and a Projector all combined in the one
machine. It was highly portable, being smaller Exhibitor all in one. His mastering of all these
than many still cameras of that era. skills was essential when working halfway
around the world and months away from any
The Lumiere operator had to be a of the information and support services
completely self-contained film-maker. He was available in Europe.
Cameraman, Laboratory Technician, and
Left: The Lumiére Bros. Below: A clip from the Lumiére film
"Watering the Garden-er" ( 1895 ). Note the round sprocket holes.
The Lumiere brothers pioneered projection on the 'Big' Screen.

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